Council Info - September 18, 2019

August 01, 2025

Regional Council endorses Low Income Transit Program

Based on the results of the Affordable Transit Study and an environmental scan of other Canadian transit systems and fare products, Regional Council has endorsed a new Low-Income Transit (LIT) program. This program would offer discounted monthly passes and stored value to Region residents whose household income is considered below the Market Basket Measure. It is estimated that the LIT program would include approximately 8,600 customers. The program would discontinue the concession fares for seniors and non-post secondary students. However, seniors and non-post secondary students who live with low income would be eligible for the LIT Program. The Region will ask for public input as part of the annual Regional budget consultation process.

Waterloo region to become first Bee Region

Council voted to become an official Bee Region. This means we agree to engage and inspire our communities to protect pollinators. Through a bee ambassador program created by Bee City Canada, participants would learn about: creating bee habitat, educating the public on things like pollinator gardens, native bees, soil health, beneficial insects and climate change.

Elmira Community Circulator Pilot to continue to be operated by Kiwanis Transit in 2020

Ridership on the Elmira Community Circulator pilot has consistently trended upwards. Regional Council voted to support to continue the Community Circulator for 2020 with Kiwanis Transit as the service provider.

Paramedic Services plans approved by Council

Council approved a Paramedic Services Response Time Performance Plan. The recommendation for 2020 is to maintain the same targets set out in 2019. Factors contributing to response times include rising call volumes and offload delays at hospitals. Paramedic Services continues to investigate best practices and current trends, while working with hospitals to reduce patient offload delays. Council also approved a Paramedic Services Master Plan that reaffirms a target of 35 per cent Unit Utilization (with a phased-in interim target of 37.5 per cent). Unit Utilization (UU) measures ambulance use in comparison to total ambulance availability to respond to 911 calls. UU targets help ensure there is enough capacity in the system to respond to the next medical emergencies.

Region to advocate for return of child benefit

The province recently announced the elimination of the Transition Child Benefit (TCB), a fund that helped ensure children of parents on Ontario Works would not be left without money for food and other basic needs if they didn’t qualify for the Ontario Child Benefit. The Region will advise the province that the elimination of the TCB will place many low-income citizens in financial difficulty and will advocate for the return of the TCB or similar funding.

Community capacity and innovation fund

Council approved a funding plan for the 2019 – 2024 Community Capacity and Innovation Fund. This federal funding of $522,840 will be used to enhance and address gaps in the homelessness database systems and coordinated access processes (Homeless Individuals and Families Information System and Prioritized Access to Housing Supports process). This funding plan will result in enhancements to direct services of housing and homelessness programs.

Tenders/Contracts:          

The following tenders/contracts were approved by Council:

  • $2,524,692 to NNA Ticket Ltd. for electronic fare management system for a three-year term.
  • $1,749,963 to W.S. Nicholls Construction Inc. for connection of well G6 and Cambridge east water treatment plant upgrades.
  • $1,370,155 to Tri-Phase Contracting Inc. for interior demolition of 200 Frederick St., Kitchener.
  • $1,061,338.52 to Xterra Construction Inc. for St. Jacobs wastewater treatment plant aeration and UV upgrades.
  • $581,224 to Ovivo USA, LLC for primary clarifier mechanism equipment replacements for the Preston (Cambridge) wastewater treatment plant.
  • $546,200 to Mazzei Injector Company LLC for supply of ozone side stream injection equipment for the Mannheim water treatment plant retrofit.
  • $269,299.40 to Jay Fencing Ltd. for the Preston (Cambridge) wastewater treatment plant property fencing.

 

Next Council Meeting
October 9, 2019 at 7 p.m.


For more information, contact:

Bryan Stortz, Director, Corporate Communications, 519-575-4408
Regional Clerk’s Office, 519-575-4400